Apparatus for forming siftproof bag closures



" Feb. 17, 1942. I Q J E 2,273,585

APPARATUS FOR FORMING SIFTPROOF BAG CLOSURES Filed May 22, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTdhNEY F8). -17, 1942. 1', MQQRE 2,273,585 APPARATUsfoRFORMING SIFTPROOF BAG CLOSURES Filed May 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2lNVENTOR .fqyai i2 7%002'e BY i,

Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED 'sTATEs PATENT, OFFICE APPARATUS FORFORMING SIFTPROOF BAG OLOSUBES Royal '1'. Moore, Buffalo, N. r.,assignor to consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, a corporationof New York Application May 22, 1940, Serial No. 336,504

9Claims.

This invention relatesto new and useful improvements in bag closingmechanisms generally, and particularly seeks to provide novel sealingmeans for forming and sealing bag tops of the single panel fold type.

Paper bags having top closures of the single panel fold type are apt topermit a certain degree of sifting since the line of fold of the toppanel may not be closely formed, thereby providing passageway forsitting of material contained within the bags from the mouths thereof.

It has been found that such sifting tendencies can be virtuallyeliminated by more sharply defining the line of fold of the top paneland by providing -a short sharply creased marginal return fold at thebag mouth which is covered by the top fiap and sealed by the adhesive.

Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a bag closingmachine with means to form a single panel fold bag closure having apre-formed sharply creased marginal return fold adjacent the bag mouthand underlying the top panel in the sealed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated which can be used in conjunction with either trimmed or untrimmedbags.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated in which the creasing means includes a pair of opposed relativelymovable elements comprisinga creasing blade and a gripper elementadapted to receive and pinch the crease formed by the creasing blade tothereby sharply define a marginal return fold.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated in which the marginal return fold of the bag closure is firstpositively formed by the creasing means and then positively tucked intoclosure-forming position by a tucker blade. Another object of theinvention is to, provide a device of the character stated which willform I an adhesively sealed single panel fold closure for paper bass.

Another object of the invention is provide a device of the characterstated which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economicalto manufacture.

With these and other objects in view. the nature of which will becomemore apparent, the invention will be more fully understood by referenceto the drawings, the accompanying detailed description, and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical transverse section showing the creaseforming and initial folding mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view A showing the first stepof crease forming;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts indisengagedrelationand the gripper H firmly holding the marginal returnfold;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sec-- tion showing thegluing and shaping mechanism together with the final folding andpressing mechanism; v Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail elevation of aportion of the creasing mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8diagrammatically illustrate the with end trimmingmechanism.

The present invention is directed specifically to improvements inmechanisms for creasing, folding and sealing a single panel foldbagclosure of the kind formed through the useofa bag closing machinesuch as is disclosed in the United States Letters Patent No, 2,175,557,issued to R. N. Cundall on October 10, 1939. Since thesubiect matter ofthis invention employs driving mechanisms similar to those disclosed inthe above referred to patent, it is believed unnecessary to hereinillustrate the entire machine, and reierencemay be made to the patentreferred to for a clear and complete disclosure of such drivingmechanisms.

For convenience in reference, the machine parts of this structure thatare identical with the machine parts of the patented structure are giventhe same reference characters as appear in the patent drawings, and themachine parts included in this invention are designated by refventionare applied to the first operating station as illustrated in Fig. l ofthe drawings. A creasing blade I having a V-shaped leading edge It isrigidly secured to the machinefram. A plate 201 which is mounted forslidingmovement between suitable bearing blocks (not shown) is formed inthe creasing blade "I. The plate 2.1

. fixed to the upper ends of a yoke 2I3 pivotally carried at the ends ofthe pivot 209.

A spring 2 extends from the yoke to the lower surface of the plate 201and tends to main-' tain the yoke at right angles to the plate andthereby holds the folding member 2I2 against the lower surface of thecreasing blade. A bolt 2I5, carried by a rigidly mounted bar 225,extends through an opening in the yoke 2I3 and carries adjustable locknuts 2 I 1 forming an abutment against which the yoke strikes near theend of the forward movement of the plate 201. Continu'ed movement of theplate 261 causes the yoke to rock against the tension of the spring 2and thereby causes the folding member 2I2 to drop downward into itsposition shown in full llneinFlgJs a The plate 201 is reciprocatedthrough the medium of a link 2I6, one end of whichis pivotally attachedto the rod 209 and'the other end of which is pivotally attached to onearm of a bell crank 2I1' journalled on a shaft I36. The other arm of thebell crank is attached to a pitman 2" adapted to be reciprocated inopposite directions by camand follower connections generally indicatedat'220.

A crease anvil I3 having a crease-receiving groove I4 formed across theface thereof is rigidly secured to the machine frame and is located withthe groove I4 thereof disposed substantially in the vertical. planeofthe upper crease-forming blade edge II'.

p A creasing assembly I5 which cooperates with the blade l and anvil I3to form spaced parallel I oppositely directed creases, is carried by oneend of a swinging arm 23I, the other end of which is pivotally mountedon a cross rod I36. The arm .23I is oscillated through the medium oflink, pitman and toggle connections 232, 233 and 236, re-

spectively, and which are in turn drivenby cam and follower 231. Thecreasing assembly 16 includes a, block I6 connections generallyindicated at having a relatively thin rearwardly extendingtongue I1-formed integral therewith andadapted to, be received by the groove I4 ofthe anvil in crease-forming relation. A rearwardly projecting andtransversely extending bar I6, formed integral with'the. block I6, isdisposed in spaced relation to the tongue I1 and is-provided with abeveled upper face I 9 substantially parallel to the opposing face ofthe'creasing blade III. It should be noted, that the upper face of theblock I6 and the lower face of the crease blade III are disposed insubstantially coplanarrelation in r the creasing position.

A plate 20 having a beveled rear edge portion 20a overlies the upperface of the mounting block and is pivotally-connected thereto adjacentThe plate 20 is by a compression spring 22 carried in a well 23 formedin the block, and is limited in its outward movement by a bolt 24 havinga rounded head 25 extending through the plate 20, the spring 22,

and the block.

After the creasing assembly I and .the complementary creasing elementsIll and I 3 have been brought into the crease forming position see Fig.2) by the cam and follower connections being separated as the result ofcontinued movement of the cam and follower connections (see Fig. 3), theplate 20 is forced downwardly by the action of a pressure roller 26riding over the rounded head 25 of the bolt 24 to thereby forcibly bendthe lip of the bag closure as the flap is folded over and provide theclosure with a relatively narrow marginal return fold 21.

The roller 26 is carried by one end of an arm 28 pivotally mounted onthe rod I36 and which is adapted to be oscillated through the medium ofa link 29, a bell crank 30, and pitman 3|. The pitman is given amovement of reciprocation by cam and follower connections generallyindicated at 30'. Continued movement of the cam and follower connections30, causes the roller 26 to become disengaged from the bolt head 25, andconsequently the plate 20 is permitted to rise under the influence ofthe spring 22 and release the fold.

The bag is then moved by feed means (not shown) to the gluing, finalfolding, and pressing station as indicated in Fig. 4.

At this station it will be seen that there is a folding and pressingmember 265 mounted across the ends of spaced arms 266 movable inguideways 261. A rod 268 passing through the arms 7 266 at the rearthereof, extends into slots 266 (indicated in dotted lines) in theguides. The arms 266 are provided with depending cam portions 3| whichare engageable with surfaces 212 of the guides 261 and control thevertical movement of the free end of the member 265. A bar a 213,extending across the arms 266, provides support for a bail 214 to whichis attached a link 215 extending from a bell crank 216 mounted on thecross rod I36. The other arm of the bell crank a rearmost portion of themember comes down to press against the closure.

The member 265 is provided with a channelshaped upper end 290corresponding to the hooked fingers of a person's hand and slopes"downwardly from the, end somewhat after the fashion of the palm of ahand and then horil zonta y to correspond to te heel of a hand. .Thechannel-shaped portion 290 is preferably provided with a flaring mouthto insure guidance of the previously, folded bag mouth into the channel.As the member 265 moves forwardits action infolding and pressing themouth of the I bagagainst the shoulders of the bag is almost exactly:the action ofa persons hand performing the same function. A glue blade3", receiving adhesive through the mediumof devices not shown, ismounted on a pivoted bail 3 and carried at the ends of spaced levers 3 I2. The glue blade is resilient and extendsangularly forward and downwardso as ,5 toexert a yielding wiping pressure against the shoulder of thebag as it applies adhesive thereto.

A tucking blade 320 (Fig. 4) carried by resilient fingers mounted on bar3 extends forward above the glue blade and engages the folded edge ofthe bag as the glue blade moves inward to insure tucking of the mouth ofthe bag into the fold. The member 265 is provided with fins 29I 331, andas the respective creasing assemblies are 15 which not only depress thetucking blade to insure a tight fold but prevent the blade from snappingupward when released, thereby protecting the resilient fingers. Itshould be noted that the end of the tucker blade 320 engages the extremeend portion of the pre-folded marginal re turn flap portion 21, andpresses it firmly against the top flap portion of the closure so thatchan- Jnel shaped portion 290 of the member 265 and the heel portionthereof may form the flap into a tightly sealed closure as indicatedinFig. 8 of the drawings. a

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings there is diagrammaticallyillustrated the operation of the machine at the gluing, final folding,and pressing station. Fig. 6 shows a bag after it has left the creasingstation and with the crease 32 and the return marginal fold 21 formed intheolosure flap. Fig. 7 shows the bag as it arrives beneath the member265 with the glue blade llll applying adhesive to the bag shoulder, andthe device adapted to form a crease in the collapsed mouth of a bag acertain distance above the emclosed contents, a second creasing deviceoperative beyond said first device and simultaneously therewith andadapted to form a relatively narrow marginal return fold adjacent theextreme end of said collapsed bag mouth, means movable transversely ofthecreasedend of the bag to fold the end of the bag oncej'upon itselfalong said first mentioned crease, means to apply adhesive to a portionof the bag. and -means including a member movable to exert slidingpressure upon the folded end, of the bag to press the same upon theadhesive bearing portion thereof. r v

3. In a filled bag closlng'finachine, an operating station comprising acreasing deviceadapted to form a crease in'the collapsed mouth of a baga'certain distanceabove the enclosed contents,

tucker blade 320 engaging the end portion of the.

return fold 21. Fig.8 shows the final position of the member 265pressing the closure to effect a' tight seal. It should be noted thatthe return fold 21 is tucked tightly'into the crease where'the closurefolds over the bag shoulder and is embedded in adhesive, therebyeffecting a well bonded seal.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings there is illustrated a modification of thecreasing means which may be employed when the bag ends are to betrimmed.

a second creasing device operative beyond said first device andsimultaneously therewith and "adapted to mm; a relatively marginal"returnffold adjacent the extreme end of said callapsed bag mouth,saidfirst mentioned crease and said return fold being formed in oppositedirections, and jmeans movable "transversely of thecreased end ofthe bagto fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said first mentioned Astationary shear blade 33 is rigidly secured to the machine frame and-isdisposed in cooperative relation to a movable male creasing mem-.

ber 34, the upper edge of which comprises a movable shear edge. A femalecreasing member 35 is carried by the movable arm ill and is adapted toregister with the member 34. A male creasing member 36 which is alsocarried by the arm "I is disposed below the member 35 and is adapted toregister with a stationary female creasing member 31 disposed generallybelow the movable shear 34. Thus it will be apparent that the elements"and 34 function to trim the bag ends, and the element 34 also cooperateswith the creasing member 3|! to form the sharply defined'marginal returnfold; and that the mem bers 36 and 31 form the usual intermediatecrease.

Thus it will be seen that the herein described invention provides a bagclosing machine, with means to form a single panel fold bag closurehaving a sharply creased preformed marginal return fold formed adjacentthe bag mouth and underlying the top panel in sealed position, and whichis simple in design and rugged in construction.

It is of course to be understood that various details of arrangementsand proportions of parts may be modified within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim: I

1. In a filled bag closing machine, an-operating station comprising acreasing device adapted to form a crease in the collapsed mouth of a baga certain distance above the enclosed contents, 9. second creasingdevice operative beyond said first device and simultaneously therewithand adapted to form a relatively narrow marginal return fold" adjacentthe extreme end of said collapsed bag mouth, and means movabletransversely of the creased end of'the bag to fold the end of the bagonce upon itself along said first mentioned crease.

2. In a filled bag closing machine, a creasing crease whereby saidreturn fold will be disposed adjacent the top plane of the bag contents.

4. In a filled bag closing machine, a creasing device adapted to form acrease in the collapsed mouth of a bag a certain distance above theenclosed contents, a second creasing device operative beyond said firstdevice and simultaneously therewith and adapted to form a relativelynarrow marginal return fold adjacent the extreme end of said collapsedbag month, said first mentioned crease and said return fold being formedin opposite directions, and means movable transversely of the creasedend of the bag to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along saidfirst mentioned crease whereby said return fold will be disposed insubstantial coplanar relation to the top plane of the bag contents.

,5. In a machine for closing filled bags; an operatingstation comprisingmeans for trimming the end of an upstanding collapsed bag mouth, meansfor positively forming a relatively narrow marginal return i'oldadjacent said trimmed end and for simultaneously creasing saidupstanding collapsed bag mouth along a line intermediate said returnfoldand the top of the contents and parallel to the. top plane of thecontents, and means to fold said collapsed bag mouth once upon itselfalong said crease.

6; In a machine for closing filled bags, means for trimming the end ofan upstanding collapsed bag mouth, means for positively forming arelativelynarrow marginal return fold adjacent said trimmed end and forsimultaneously creasing said upstanding collapsed bag mouth along a sline intermediate said return fold and the top of the :contents andparallel to the top plane of the contents, means to fold said collapsedbag mouth once upon itself along said crease, means to apply adhesive toa portion of the bag, and

means including a member movable to exert sliding pressure upon thefolded end of the bag 70.

to press the same upon the adhesive bearing portion thereof.

'7. In a machine for closing filled bags, an operating stationcomprising means including a stationary shear member and-a movable shearmember for trimming the end of an upstanding collapsed bag mouth, meansincluding relatively movable creasing members for positively forming arelatively narrow marginal return fold adiacent said trimmed end and forsimultaneously creasing said upstanding collapsed bag mouth along a lineintermediate said return fold and the top of the contents and parallelto the top plane of the contents, oneof said creasing members alsoserving as the moyable shear member, and means to fold said collapsedbag mouth once upon itself along said crease.

8. In a machine for closing filled bags, an operating station comprisingmeans including a stationary shear member and a movable shear member fortrimming the end of an upstanding collapsed bag mouth, means includingrelatively movable creasing members for positively forming a relativelynarrow marginal return fold adjacent said trimmed end and forsimultaneously creasing said upstanding collapsed bag mouth along a lineintermediate said return fold and the top of the contents and parallelto the top plane of the contents, one of said creasing members alsoserving as the movable shear member, means to fold said collapsed bagmouth once upon itself along said crease, means to apply adhesive to aportion of the bag, and means including a member movable to exertsliding pressure upon the folded end of the bag to press the same uponthe adhesive bearing portion thereof.

9. In a filled bag closing machine, an operating station comprising acreasing device adapted to form a crease in the collapsed mouth of a baga certain distance above the enclosed contents, a second creasing deviceoperative above said first device and adapted to form a relativelynarrow marginal return fold adjacent the extreme end of said collapsedbag mouth, said first v mentioned crease and said return fold beingformed in opposite directions, means movable transversely of the creasedend of the bag to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along saidfirst mentioned crease whereby said return fold will be, disposedadjacent the top plane of the bag contents, means to apply adhesive to aportion of the bag, and means including a member movable to exertsliding pressure upon the folded end of the bag to press said folded endincluding said return fold upon the adhesive bearing portion thereofwhereby the end of said bag will be sealed.

ROYAL T. MOORE.

